Visit of mgr. Fuad Twal to the Hebrew speaking catholic community of Jerusalem

25 February 2007. The Hebrew-speaking Catholic community of Jerusalem had the joy of welcoming Mgr. Fuad Twal, the coadjutor archbishop to the Patriarch of Jerusalem, at the Mass for the first Sunday of Lent. The Mass was presided by P. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Custos of the Holy Land and patriarchal vicar of the Hebrew-speaking community. Mgr. Twal gave the sermon, saying how glad he was that this first visit (hopefully the first of many to come!) was for a Mass, where we gathered around the altar, drawing closer to Christ and thus to one another - and that if we meet thus, “walls built by man will never reach to the sky”. He spoke on the day’s Gospel, the temptation of Christ in the desert, speaking of our need to seek out “desert” times in our lives, to break away from the noise and bustle of daily existence and to turn to God, particularly before a new activity or important decisions. He then drew a parallel with the temptations we face in our own lives, whether of trying to bend God’s will to ours, of success, or of financial or political power - and the need to seek the strength to resist, to say “no” to temptations which call us to betray our faith, our baptismal promises. He reminded us that conversion is never for one time or period only, but is a life-long call.

After the Mass, we all met for “refreshments” (plentiful and festive in honour of the visit), and had a chance to greet Mgr. Twal and thank him both for his words and for the warmth with which they were spoken. We hope to see him again soon - and pray for him and the task to which God has called him. May this visit be a sign of the unity of which he spoke, the unity of one “family” gathered around Christ, and of our shared hope for peace!

RK